Hi Friends,
Fujifilm is keeping the world on its feet in the world of Instant Camera and I got the chance to check out this amazing new
Instax mini LiPlay which is loaded with some of the great features which were not there in any of the other Instax cameras. I received the same in Stone White color for a two week review period along with some Instax films whereas it is also available in three other colors - Elegant Black, Dark Gray, and Blush Gold.
The first thing is the compact design which is unlike any other
Instax cameras as it becomes handier whereas all the others are more about the form factor the world knows and flash it around. The mini LiPlay can be easily put into your jacket pocket or backpack just like any point and shoot camera and the overall weight of the device is around 250 grams without the film pack and memory card. The camera has a button on the front to take the photos along with a special button to record the audio too. The power button is one side along with the function button that can be assigned to your favorite filters. There is a slot for a micro-SD card and there is a charging slot at the bottom of the camera. The back contains a button to open the slot for instant film and as you print the film comes out from the top slot. The device also has the buttons to print, back, and play along with a menu button and circular dial.
The mini LiPlay comes with a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which as they say on the package to last around a maximum of 100 prints but that is significantly reduced if you are clicking photos on the camera too. The internal memory can take up to 45 photos and can be increased by adding a micro-SD card to the setup. I mainly used the same to print my own photos and mainly as a printer which was really fast (takes around 12 seconds per photo) using the new smartphone app names Instax mini LiPlay available in both
Apple Store and
Google Play. The camera can be fully charged in around 3 hours using the micro-USB cable.
Another feature that is not available earlier in the special voice notes that you can record which gets printed as the QR code on the photos as per your choice and then the user can decode the message using the mini LiPlay app without even owning one. This has uses in many things from Treasure hunt for kids or adults alike or to send special notes for your loved ones. The brand used the same to launch a contest at the Photo expo where at the activation counter, they were handing films if you got a voice note on your film, you win some Instax prizes. The only thing is taking up some space in your already small Instax prints. This feature takes time to learn as you need to record a unique voice message if you want different messages on every print.
As Instax is a fun camera, mini LiPlay brings more filters and frames to showcase your creativity. There are around 10 pre-installed image frames on the camera and 30 are available on the app. You can easily add up to 3 of your favorite filters assigned into the camera shortcut button. Moreover, it also comes with a remote shooting using the smartphone app which has several uses from group shots to taking photos of your pets in their ecosystem.
2.7 inch TFT color LCD monitor is the display whereas the image sensor is 1.5in CMOS with the primary color filter with around 5 Megapixels of effective pixels. The drawback is that it is a single Autofocus system but don't think of this camera as your regular point and shoot from the house of Sony, Nikon, Samsung, Canon, etc as those are much more advanced systems. This is a fun point and shoot camera with a 28mm focal length and aperture f2.0 which takes good quality photos in bright daylight. I can assure you that I have checked the quality of photos printed on Canon and HP instant devices but Instax films are better quality above all of them.
Overall, Instax mini LiPlay is the best instant camera that can print all your photographs captured with your smartphone or DSLR cameras as it easily functions as a printer. The camera is great when you want to share your group photos with your friends and the prints are easily just at the cost of Instax mini films which is around R150 for 10 and around R300 for 20 films version. Moreover, Instax has so many different formats of films that comes with already installed filters on the paper. I am totally a fan of these printers but now the market also offers
Canon ZoeMini S and
HP Sprocket and
Polaroid Snap Touch. The Instax cameras have an ecosystem that can easily decorate your walls, albums, or even bullet journals.
RATING 4/5
